Key Takeaways
1. Tesla launched a free FSD trial in China to compete with local manufacturers offering better and cheaper electric cars with advanced self-driving systems.
2. Due to data export restrictions, Tesla is training its FSD algorithms using online videos sourced from China.
3. Local companies like Huawei have developed competitive driver-assist systems, prompting comparisons with Tesla’s FSD.
4. Both Tesla’s FSD and Huawei’s systems were tested in challenging rural environments, demonstrating strong performance despite limitations.
5. Tesla’s FSD in China lacks some features available in the US and is priced at $8,000, while local competitor BYD offers its self-driving system for free.
Faced with tough competition, not only because local manufacturers are offering better electric cars at lower prices, but also due to their advanced self-driving systems, Tesla has launched a free FSD trial promotion in China.
Recently, Tesla introduced a partially developed version of its FSD software in China, sending it over-the-air to existing subscribers as well as new customers. However, since the Chinese government prohibits exporting local driver data and the US doesn’t allow the import of FSD mileage data, Tesla has to be creative. It is training its algorithms using videos sourced from the internet in China.
Competition with Local Automakers
This situation creates a fascinating comparison between Tesla’s FSD offering and the various autonomous driving solutions from local companies, such as the latest driver-assist system from Huawei. Huawei, a giant in consumer electronics and communication, has recently ventured into electric vehicles. It has developed a comprehensive driver-assist system that car manufacturers can integrate into their models, which is widely regarded as one of the best available in China.
Unsurprisingly, as soon as Tesla rolled out FSD in China, local drivers began to pit it against domestically designed self-driving technologies, including Huawei’s ADS 3.0.
Testing in Diverse Environments
In China, autonomous driving systems are mainly designed for urban environments and congested traffic, so testers took both Tesla’s FSD and Huawei’s systems onto rural roads to provide a more challenging environment.
Overall, Tesla and Huawei’s driver-assist technologies performed admirably in these unfamiliar and poorly marked areas, successfully navigating around obstacles, slowing down at T-junctions, and avoiding collisions with unpredictable traffic.
Limitations and Local Offers
However, it should be noted that Tesla’s FSD in China doesn’t include the full suite of features available to US drivers because it cannot import or export raw driver data within the country. Elon Musk has stated that Tesla essentially relies on driving videos from the internet to train its AI for FSD in this market.
As a result, Tesla’s FSD currently supports highway ramp exits and city street navigation, recognizing traffic signals, making turns, changing lanes automatically, and using the cabin camera to ensure that the driver is attentive.
Nonetheless, FSD costs $8,000 in China, whereas BYD is equipping all its vehicles, even the more affordable ones, with its own self-driving system named Eye of God at no additional charge.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how many Tesla owners in China will not only take advantage of the free FSD trial but also choose to continue with the paid service once the trial period is over.